Express & Star

29 arrests in Staffordshire 'County Lines' drugs crackdown

Twenty-nine people in Staffordshire have been arrested in one week after being caught as part of a major operation targeting drug networks.

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A man was jailed for six years as part of the arrests as Staffordshire Police cracked down on 'County Lines' activity in the county.

Forces across the UK worked together from January 21 during an intensified look at the activity, which involves youngsters moving into small towns to distribute crack cocaine or heroin.

Groups use vulnerable people, aged between 14 to 24, to traffic drugs after deals are agreed remotely – through a 'line'.

A vulnerable person was safeguarded after a 'cukooing' example was identified – where houses or flats are acquired through coercion and ran by groups for criminal activity.

Arrests were made in Lichfield, South Staffordshire, Tamworth, Burton-on-Trent, Newcastle under Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent.

Two arrests were made in South Staffordshire, Lichfield and Newcastle, with five made in Tamworth, six in Burton and 12 in Stoke-on-Trent.

The men arrested lived locally, or travelled into the county from the West Midlands or Merseyside.

Cash was seized, along with heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis and weapons including knives, a samurai sword and a knuckle duster.

Kierell Woollery, was jailed for six and a half years for County Lines-related drug supply offences at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Bentley, of Staffordshire Police, said: “We are seeing this type of activity in Staffordshire and working hard to tackle this challenge by disrupting those who would deal drugs in our communities.

“Often individuals travel into the north of the county from Merseyside or into south and mid-Staffordshire from the West Midlands.

“It has been a busy week and we’ve had success disrupting criminal activity, but of course our work continues. We will arrest and charge those dealing drugs but we will also look to safeguard the young and vulnerable who may be pressured into this type of activity. It’s important to understand that where we would once have treated some of those involved as offenders they may be vulnerable and at risk.”